Any discussion about the South Carolina linebacker corp must begin with All-SEC and Butkus candidate Jasper Brinkley. The 6-foot-2, 262-pound senior took the SEC by storm last season, registering 107 tackles, including an amazing 85 solo hits. With out a doubt Brinkley is the heart and soul of defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix's defense. However, the Gamecocks return the most talent and depth at the linebacker position since the 2001 Outback Bowl team that won nine games. In today's column, we take a look at the players that will line up along side Brinkley, who was USC's only every down player selected to the first team preseason All-SEC team.